Annual Report 2020 Contents
Pages
Irish Sailing Board 1
Policy Groups 1
Irish Sailing Staff 2020 3
Who we are & What we do 4
Finance Overview for 2020 5
President’s Report/Overview 2020 6
CEO Report 10
24 Irish Sailing Board 2020
David O’Brien Nikki Curran President and Race Officials Policy Group Clubs & Membership
John Twomey Andrew Bradley Secretary & Treasurer Communications Policy Group
Fiona Bolger Colin Kavanagh International Representation Olympic Steering Group
Richard Colwell James Lyons Irish Cruiser Racing Association (ICRA) Training Policy Group
Sue Concannon Vera Quinlan Audit & Governance Cruising & Representation Policy Group
Policy Groups 2020
There are 7 x Policy Groups set up to advise and guide the Irish Cruiser Racing Communications Association (ICRA) Board and Staff on specific areas of strategic importance. The Policy Groups are made up entirely of volunteers, and Andrew Bradley (Chair) Richard Colwell (Chair) help to enforce the connection between Irish Sailing with Justin Cullen Cxema Pico Valda Boardman John Leech members and stakeholders and ensure that the activities Treasa Cox David Cullen of Irish Sailing remain relevant to them. The Policy Groups Mark Mills are also an important development pool for potential Ric Morris Johanna Murphy Board members. Brian Rafftery Denis Byrne You can read the full terms of reference for Policy Groups Peter Ryan on the Irish Sailing website: www.sailing.ie/About-Us/ Governance/Policy-Groups
1 Audit & Governance Finance Committee Committee
Paddy McGlade John Twomey Mal Nowlan David O’Brien Sue Concannon Harry Hermon John Twomey David O’Brien Harry Hermon
Racing Rules & Cruising & Olympic Race Officials Training Appeals Representation Steering Group
David Lovegrove (Chair) James Lyons (Chair) Gordon Davies (Chair) Vera Quinlan (Chair) Patrick Coveney (Chair) David O’Brien Rupert Musgrave Mike O’Connor Alex Blackwell Colin Kavanagh Dara Totterdell Denis Dillon Cxema Pico Norman Keane Sarah O’Connor Gordon Davies Jeff Cochrane Chris Lindsay John Leahy Morgan Buckley Mal Nowlan Tadg Murphy Bill O’Hara Gail MacAllister Trevor Millar Suzanne Mc Garry Dave Ballesty Ailbe Millerick Bill O’Hara Fergus O’Kelly Dave Garvey Emmet Dalton Marcus Spillane Philip Scallan Ed Alcock Harry Hermon Liam Maloney A. O’ Leary James O’Callaghan Ciarán McSweeney G. O’Donoghue Rory Fitzpatrick Cxema Pico Diane Kissane Sarah-Louise Rossiter David Lovegrove Sarah-Louise Rossiter 2 Irish Sailing Staff 2020
BOARD
CEO ACCOUNTS P/T
Head of Support Services Head of Regional Development Performance Director & Garda Vetting Liaison Communications P/T Officer South Region
Head Coach Support Services Regional Development Officer West Region Performance Administrator P/T Support Services
Regional Development Officer East Region
Support Services (Licences & Certification)
Training & Development Officer
Support Services (Licences & Certification)
3 Who we are and what we do
Our Vision Our Mission Ireland – Active on the water To provide an environment in which our activities are developed, supported and promoted at all levels - from recreation to competition to success on the international stage.
Our Values
Leadership Leading, supporting and adding real value to our clubs and members
Fun Making our sport enjoyable
Inclusivity Ensuring our sport is accessible to all
Collaboration Working together to build trust within the marine community
Integrity Striving to attain high standards of governance in a transparent manner
Sustainability Striving to reduce the carbon footprint of our sport
4 Finance Overview 2020for FINANCE 2020 OVERVIEW
CLUBS & PARTICIPATION PERFORMANCE
MEMBERSHIP SPONSORSHIP ACTIVITIES SPONSORSHIP SQUADS OTHER & FOUNDATION
€291,719 €446,070 €838,156 €30,000 MONEY IN Membership Sport Ireland Sport Ireland Sponsorship + Irish Sailing Foundation MONEY IN
€189,093 €21,725 €16,543 €15,471 Activities Sponsorship Squad Contribution Other Income (OFI, Equipment sales, Misc)
TOTAL: €948,607 TOTAL: €900,170
CLUB COVID GRANT CARDED ATHLETES + €550,000 + €111,000 MONEY OUT
MONEY OUT 10% Oce Expenses 14% Direct Membership 14% Racing 15% Representation 7% Logistics, Transport & Travel 11% Access & 17% Campaigns 36% Programme Support Participation 20% Training 57% Athlete Support
5 President’s Report/ The sailing community during COVID Overview 2020 It remains a fact that the actions of the sailing David O’Brien community have marked our sports as being responsible, compliant, low risk, vital to the health and wellbeing of our society, and will play a large part in our country’s return to normalcy. Irish Overview Sailing continues to work with Sport Ireland and the government’s Sport Expert Advisory Group, We are now more than one year into the as well as the Federation of Irish Sport and our global COVID-19 pandemic. The Annual Report partner National Governing Bodies (NGBs) to published today is a chance for Irish Sailing ensure our rapid and safe return to activities. to look back, analyse, outline achievements and milestones, and take learnings from an unprecedented time. Harry Hermon’s CEO report covers the key ground covered during 2020, but I wanted to draw attention to the following in particular:
6 Strategic Plan 2020-2025 The Tokyo Olympics
As per the new Strategic Plan launched in September, Due to the Covid 19 Pandemic, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic our VISION is for Ireland to be active on the water, and Games were postponed to the same time in 2021. our MISSION is to provide an environment in which our Annalise Murphy was nominated to represent Ireland sports are developed, supported, and promoted at all in the Laser Radial Class. In March Robert Dickson levels. Our aims for the next 5 years are based around and Sean Waddilove qualified Ireland in the 49er 2 focus areas: Class, and there is still one more chance for the Laser Men to qualify. Recreation: Refocus on fun and recreation for lifelong participation The Irish Sailing Olympic Pathway is funded by a combination of the athletes’ own contributions, Competition: develop competitive sailing at all levels. sponsorship, Sport Ireland funding and the Irish Sailing Foundation which continues to go from The objectives in these focus areas will be enabled by: strength to strength. • Enhanced Organisational Capacity • Ensuring Financial Stability Support from Sport Ireland • Improved Communications
• Quality Training Programmes Sport Ireland continues to support us. Irish Sailing • Improved Access to Inland & Coastal Waterways was delighted to secure support from Sport Ireland on You can read the full plan here: https://www.sailing.ie/ behalf of clubs, and distribute a total of €550,000 to StrategicPlan 34 Clubs who were experiencing difficulties as a result of the restrictions imposed during the pandemic. 7 at all stages of the tide (currently none in public President’s Report/ ownership in the greater Dublin area), storage and lock-up resources, flexible space for Overview 2020 hosting national and international events, David O’Brien a high-performance centre and National Governing Bodies accommodation.
Anti-Doping Large Scale Sports
Infrastructure Fund We are required under the terms of our Sport Ireland funding to report on our current status in The National Sports Policy published in 2018 established respect of anti-doping. I am delighted to report the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) to that in 2020 we had no instances of positive dope provide Exchequer support for sports facility projects. testing, which means we remain a drug free sport. Irish Sailing in partnership with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and Diving Ireland secured funding for a study to develop a National Watersports Campus that will provide quality, public, recreational and high-performance facilities for the many watersports participants.
If successful, further funding may be available to deliver the project and provide for a municipally owned public access facility to include a small craft slipway accessible
8 Thank You • The Policy Groups. Volunteers who support the work of the Board and provide vital expertise and help in framing policies I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following: • The sailing community . It has been a very
• The Staff of Irish Sailing. During this difficult year, they frustrating year for our sailors, however the personal have continued to work hard to keep our sports active in responsibility that has been prevalent within our sport new and creative ways, keep our community engaged, has really helped to maintain sailing’s reputation as a informed and equipped to navigate lockdowns and responsible and low risk sport restrictions, and ensuring our voices are heard in the ongoing discussions around the pandemic • Sport Ireland, sponsors, partners, and the Irish Sailing Foundation without whose support the
• The Board of Irish Sailing. They are all volunteers and organisation of our activities would be significantly give generously of their time and expertise with the sole more challenging. aim of developing and maintaining best standards and practices May I wish us all a prompt and safe return to the water in 2021.
• Our Clubs and Training Centres. They have been spectacularly creative in adapting their activities to David O’Brien comply with the ever changing COVID restrictions, to keep our sports safe and COVID free
9 CEO Report/ Governance Harry Hermon • Irish Sailing achieved full compliance with the Governance Code during 2020 and the Board have published their statement of compliance under the terms of the code COVID 19 Pandemic • Under the Governance code, we are targeted In March 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic hit Ireland and to achieve a minimum 30% gender balance brought many of our activities to a halt. The team on the Board, and in 2020 we had 40% female quickly pivoted however, and put in place a regular and representation on the Board fast-moving series of COVID updates, geared towards our wide variety of stakeholders so that everyone • Board meetings moved online in 2020, and were could keep informed and up to date on restrictions, well attended with an average of 97% attendance by their meaning for our sports, and timelines. Board members over the 7 meetings held Irish Sailing’s aim throughout the transitions between restrictions was to give clear guidance to Clubs, • Policy Group and supporting committee meetings Training Centres and members to provide them also moved online during 2020, and were also well attended with an average 95% attendance over a with a framework within which to do their own risk total of 38 meetings held assessments to base their decisions on. Most of the Irish Sailing training courses, events and meetings • The Audit and Governance Committee was have now moved online. established to oversee our continued compliance with the Governance code. 10 Representation • Irish Lights users committee – Harry Hermon, Irish Sailing Representative
Irish Sailing is represented on the following committees: • Federation of Irish Sport – Harry Hermon, Board member (retired in 2020 due to end of term)
International Committees • European Sailing Federation (EUROSAF) – Jack Roy, • Sport Dispute Solutions Ireland – Harry Hermon, Irish Delegate Board member (retired in 2020 due to end of term)
• World Sailing – In 2020 Marcus Spillane was elected • An Taisce Climate Ambassador – Gail MacAllister, onto the Board of World Sailing. Fiona Bolger Irish Sailing Representative represents Irish Sailing Interests on Council, and Con Murphy, Paddy Boyd, Chris Lindsay, Mike O’Conner sit on • An Taisce Blue Flag Judging Panel – Gail MacAllister, various World Sailing committees Irish Sailing Representative
• European Boating Association (EBA) – Harry Hermon & • Sport Ireland National Children’s Officer Working Gail Macalister, Irish Delegates. Group - Ciaran Murphy, Irish Sailing Representative
• Sport Ireland Diversity and Inclusion Policy Group - National Committees • Marine Safety Working Group – Dave Garvey, Irish Ciaran Murphy, Irish Sailing Representative Sailing Representative
• Marine Spatial Plan Advisory Group – Harry Hermon, Irish Sailing Representative 11 1. Cruising
CEO Report/ Harry Hermon
Cruising Conference Visitors’ Moorings
• Held in February 2020 at National Yacht Club with 100 • All area engineers were contacted attendees and a theme of “Exploration and Discovery” • COVID restrictions meant that service was not • Talks from Met Eireann Wave Expert Sarah Gallagher, possible in some areas Jim Wilson, Damian Foxall, Niall MacAllister and Lucy Hunt, Jamie Young, Christine Heath, Vera Quinlan, Toni • Donegal confirmed they would be serviced; O’Leary and Norman Kean Mayo lifted ten and plan to put back in 2021; Galway assured us they are in good condition; • Sponsorship secured from Union Chandlery, CAI and Clare and Kerry gave no update; Cork last serviced Kilrush Marina in 2017 and didn’t manage to service in 2020
• Exhibits from Cork 300 and VHF.ie • Warnings to be careful using the visitors’ moorings published. • 83% said they would attend the next Cruising Conference.
12 Safetrx Diesel
• Total Number of App downloads 4,575 downloads • A comprehensive list of coastal venues selling white (iOS 2,350 and Android 2,225) diesel was published in February and June 2020 (updated with the help of Norman Kean) • Number of downloads in 2020: 1,060 downloads (iOS 428 and Android 632) • 21 x venues around the coast noted with a clear gap of pier side availability in Sligo and Donegal • Total number of trips in 2020: 683 (Track Only: 251; Sail Plans: 432) • Irish Sailing published red diesel Revenue guidance.
13 2. Sustainability
CEO Report/ Harry Hermon
Sustainability Campaigns
Sustainability is a key component of the 2020-2025 • No new Sustainability campaigns created in 2020 Strategic Plan. due to COVID 19
• https://www.sailing.ie/our-environment gives • “Get Ready” campaign was adapted to “Make clear messages and support for venues, events and A Difference” on https://www.sailing.ie/our- individuals to “Make a Difference” to reduce their impact environment on the environment and to embrace their natural habitat • The Irish Sailing “Our Environment” programme • Irish Sailing have partnered with World Sailing, 11 Hour was entered the 11th Hour / World Sailing Racing, An Taisce and Clean Regattas Sustainability Award and was recognised for the work we are doing to encourage a reduction on • Irish Sailing encourage all venues to register their environmental impact of sailing and our activities. events with the “Sailors for the Sea” Clean Regattas programme, which has been streamlined in 2020 to make it adaptable to all types of event.
14 An Taisce
• Regional Development Officer (RDO) Gail MacAllister • Irish Sailing’s Gail MacAllister also joined the An became an An Taisce Climate Ambassador in January Taisce Blue Flag judging panel for marinas and beaches 2020 as a representative for Irish Sailing members and organisations. 80 venues were approved for 2020 with • The Climate Ambassadors are a prestigious group six marinas (Kilrush Marina, Kilmore Quay Marina, that work, with the support of An Taisce, to make New Ross Marina, Fenit Marina, Kinsale Yacht Club, meaningful action and positive changes within their The Royal Cork Yacht Club, Portmagee Seasonal network. The programme was established in 2017 and Visitors Pontoons). supports a limited number of Ambassadors each year
• Irish Sailing contributed to the Climate Ambassador forum talks series and presented details on the Irish Sailing Sustainability campaign, demonstrating how an organisation can give achievable advice to help venues, events and individuals to make their own difference at a variety of levels that suits their ability and facilities.
15 3. Access, Diversity & Inclusion
CEO Report/ Harry Hermon Safeguarding Cases
Cases have increased over the past three years and • In place of face-to-face courses and open days we vary from poor practice incidents to serious allegations have implemented a 3 hour online training course and requiring state intervention. We are currently working will be conducting an inclusion audit and development on the implementation of a Dispute Resolution Panel of an accessible video for each Club or Centre for free which is a selection of advisors with legal expertise to support and facilitate Appeals, Disputes and Cases as • The Dormant Accounts Funding Application for required. Inclusion include the development of the Games to include land sports and be brought to local clubs in 2022, the development of training piece of Software 2020 Watersports to allow non verbal communicators with ASD to learn Inclusion Games how to sail, a Leadership Programme for mentors from the Sailing into Wellness programme and a
• The Games for people with various abilities on the Volunteer Programme for Teenagers with Learning physical, sensory, intellectual and learning difficulty Disabilities – results of application are due in Q3 spectrums and representing all ages were cancelled in of 2021. 2020 due to the COVID pandemic
• The Games are due to be held in September 2021 but this is dependent on the rollout of the vaccine programme for volunteers
17 3. Access, Diversity & Inclusion
CEO Report/ Harry Hermon
Women on the Women at the Helm Regatta • Event scheduled for August 2020 in National Water Programme Yacht Club cancelled due to COVID 19
Take the Helm Campaign • Rescheduled to Royal Cork Yacht Club 18 • Take the Helm bursary launched for training and & 19 September 2021. coaching to encourage more women to take the helm in a variety of roles
• 24 applications from clubs, classes and centres.
• 6 x completed their training within the COVID restrictions and the remaining 18 will run their programmes in 2021
• Some filming was captured for the campaign promotion going forward, remaining filming pushed
18 Club Zoomposium
• The Irish Sailing Club Symposium moved online in November 2020 and renamed the Club “Zoomposium”
• It was a great success with over 300 attendees and very positive feedback from the survey
• The event finished the year off in a more positive light and nicely led into the winter series of webinars (the Wednesday Winter Talk series) which equally have been received well
• As there is no clear timeline to resume normal sailing it is felt that it is not advisable to launch a new sailing initiative and best postpone running another similar online event after the summer in line with a focus on 2022 and National Sport Ireland initiatives such as Women in Sport Week in August and Week of Sport Week in September.
19 4. Training & Coaching
CEO Report/ Harry Hermon
• As with most sectors, 2020 was a very challenging year Guidelines & Procedures for Irish Sailing training schemes in Clubs and Training Centres due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic The Irish Sailing Training Department worked closely with Sport Ireland, partner National • The early part of the season saw significant disruption Governing Bodies (NGBs) and the Sport Expert with the first lockdown covering the traditional start Group throughout to continuously review and of season period for St. Patrick’s weekend through update guidelines and procedures as the situation Easter. The end of the season was also curtailed with evolved to try and maximise the level the second lockdown period coming unfortunately just of safe activity which could take place within before the October mid-term break. the Government guidelines, some of these actions are:
• Zoom consultation briefings for Club Commodores, Junior Organisers and Training Centre Principals as restriction levels were updated
20 • 312 instructors trained for Sailing Windsurfing and Guidelines & Procedures Powerboating • 3695 Evaluations on the Irish Sailing Passport • COVID return to sailing procedures document • 22% increase in Certificates sold for Competent Crew published and Day Skipper • COVID activity Risk Assessment document published • 65 Training Centre support visits and updated as restriction levels changed • 6 new Training Centres • Sail Smart Facebook page established for information • Zero reported cases of COVID transmission on Irish sharing Sailing courses • Return To Sailing toolkit page added to the website • Training Centre inspections replaced by support visits to share information and give advice Looking ahead to 2021
There remains ongoing uncertainty around restriction Instructor Training levels but also opportunities with many turning to outdoor activities as a way to make the best of their Despite all of the challenges there were still a number time at home. With the experience gained last year of positives from the season with strong demand for clubs and centres have well developed procedures to activity as restrictions eased due to the stay at home offer safe activities at potentially increased capacity to holiday market. Good co-ordination between Instructor cater for both existing participants and those who are Trainers, Training Centres and the Training Department new to our sports. saw over 300 instructors trained, 65% of the previous year across sailing, powerboat and windsurfing despite losing the two key periods of Easter and October mid-term. Some key figures include:
21 5. Race Officials
CEO Report/ Harry Hermon
• These talks and courses were delivered by Programmes and Courses David Lovegrove, Mark Corcoran of ASL, Bill O’Hara, Fergus O’Kelly, Chris Lindsay, Cxema Pico and • Our recognised Race Officials now number: 26 judges, David O’Brien 12 umpires, 90 race officers, 21 mark layers, 6 approved IRC measurers and 10 results managers • Courses delivered included Local Race officer, Local Safety Leader, equipment inspection, Local • 292 x Race Officials attended a range of courses, talks Umpire and Results Manager and seminars in 2020. These courses were run at various clubs around the country before COVID restrictions were put in place Programmes & Courses
• Venues included Poolbeg Yacht, Boat Club & Marina, The Race Official Regulations were updated and UCD, Howth Yacht Club, Kinsale Yacht Club as well as are available online. online seminars throughout the year
22 EUROSAF Race Officials eSailing
Exchange Programme In April Irish Sailing announced their partnership with World Sailing and Virtual Regatta, the digital • There were 4 applicants to this programme in 2020 but sailing platform, to launch the Irish eSailing National unfortunately due to COVID restrictions their allocated Championships. The investment was aimed at events were cancelled keeping social and community ties during the first lockdown and allowed Irish esailors to have a national • We also had nine potential hosting events in Ireland but leaderboard and competition. There are currently these too unfortunately fell victim to COVID restrictions. 295 esailors listed on the new Irish leaderboard. There have been three events:
• eSailing Nations Cup (Irish Team vs other countries). Ireland was knocked out during the quarter finals
• eSailing World Championship (820 individuals from all countries, with 10 x Irish competitors put forward to compete)
• Irish eSailing National Championships (for Irish registered competitors). 2020’s event was won by Finn Lynch OLY.
23 5. Race Officials
CEO Report/ Harry Hermon
Irish Sailing Team Racing
Affilicated Classes Irish Sailing’s Team Racing Development contractor Rory Martin continues to work with the Irish Team Coaching Racing Association, clubs, colleges and training • 14 x class coaching grant applications in 2020 centres to develop a programme of nationwide
workshops, clinics, events and Umpire Courses. • The classes with successful applications were: Waterwags, IDRA 14, Fireball, GP14, 420, Laser 4.7, Laser Whilst interest was beginning to build, weather Radial, Laser Standard, Topper, E-boat, Mirror and SB20 scuppered a number of events and clinics early in the year. This was followed by the COVID 19 • 7 x Class coaching events for Fireball, 420, Laser 4.7, pandemic, and lack of ongoing funding essentially Laser Radial, Laser Standard, Mirror and SB20 stopped the roadshow in its tracks. Once Irish Sailing funding was confirmed, restrictions did not • Approved Coaches now number 15 with many more allow for sailing other than in a pod which therefore developing their skills to become approved Irish Sailing omitted team racing. Clubs became nervous about Coaches and further coaching courses planned for 2021 anyone sailing in teams and events and clinics were cancelled.
To continue interest in Team Racing once COVID had taken hold, a weekly social media quiz was developed. 24 This was followed by a Virtual Team Racing competition. • Membership includes all Irish International Judges Interest in this waned during the summer months as together with experienced judges, race officials restrictions began to relax. and sailors from all regions of Ireland. To facilitate coordination of policy between the ISRRC and the Events and clinics run in 2020 included: Howth Clinic at Race Officials Policy Group (ROPG) it was decided Sutton Park School, Universities Clinic at the Royal St that the Chair of ROPG would sit on this committee, George YC, and Malahide Sea Scouts. and vice versa.
• Some minor changes were required to take into Racing Rules Commitee account of changes to the Racing Rules of Sailing and Appeals Board and World Sailing Policy. ISRRC is currently preparing guidance for certain prescriptions, in particular when it is necessary to apply for approval from Irish Sailing. In 2020 the Irish Sailing Board drew up new terms of reference for the Irish Sailing Racing Rules Committee Appeals and Appeals Board (ISRRC). These terms of reference The summer of 2020 was remarkable in that all sailing are available at: https://www.sailing.ie/About-Us/ events were affected by COVID 19 measures, and many Governance/Policy-Groups events were cancelled. Despite this, one appeal was lodged. The appeal was heard by a panel of 5 members New Committee of the ISRRC, providing an opportunity to experiment • The Board appointed a new Committee in 2020: with working by video-conference. Gordon Davies (Chair), Mike O’Connor, Cxema Pico, Chris Lindsay, Bill O’ Hara, Ailbe Millerick, Emmet Retirement of Ron Hutchieson Dalton, Ed Alcock, Anthony O’ Leary, Geoff O’Donoghue, All members of ISRRC would like to thank Ron Diane Kissane, David Lovegrove, Sarah-Louise Hutchieson for his many years of service as Chair Rossiter in attendance of this committee. There is not one among us whose career as a sailor or race official has not been • The first task of the ISRRC was to prepare the Irish influenced by Ron. Sailing Prescriptions to the Racing Rules. The RRs with Prescriptions are available at on the Irish Sailing website 25 6. Cruiser Racing & ICRA
• Liaised with Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) CEO Report/ over IRC development, and lobbied on behalf of Irish boat owners Harry Hermon • Further developed and maintained the central Cruiser Racing General Rules and Championship Regulations, that can be used by any event and Irish Sailing reinvests the income received from club to provide clear guidelines for racing handicaps, to grant aid ICRA to drive the development of Cruiser Racing. • Explored the development of a centralised database of results from clubs around the country, • ICRA continued to support and encourage yacht racing for the purpose of having reliable and useful at those moments when it was allowed during the year information about yacht racing activity.
U25 Programme • Moved the ICRA National Championships several times • Launched the under 25 programme for 2020, to try and ensure it took place, in the end to no avail with funding and advice supplied
• Provided support for boat owners to discount certs • In total helping six clubs to continue to develop later in the year to encourage members to get back out their existing squads, and encouraging 2 new clubs on the water to start under 25 teams.
• Continued to develop the adjustment to ECHO • Applications for funding are further increasing for handicapping, specifically designed to allow ECHO to the start of 2021 with 3 new clubs setting up teams. work at a standalone national event
26 7. Performance
As frustrating as the year was in many ways for our Training Performance Team it really brought home how valued It was then a long summer of training before we sport is to the nation and in particular how appreciated saw light at the end of the tunnel and we had a few the Team’s representation of Ireland on the world stage events in August and September in effect giving us is. We never for one moment thought we would get an a mini season and the ability to check in with our exemption to travel and compete for our country during progress. Our stay in Ireland was prolonged but in a global pandemic but when the news came through early November we start to base ourselves mainly in that Sport Ireland and the government sanctioned our Portugal and Spain with good conditions and good return to play it was hugely uplifting for the team. training partners. Both athletes and coaches stayed away longer than usual to minimise risk of COVID Performance HQ infection and maximise their preparation for 2021 Our Performance HQ really came into its own in 2020 Olympics and Olympic Qualifiers. with the ability to minimise risk yet go about our daily activities. The sense of team and a united cause grew Performance Pathway every day we were there. We are optimistic we will see a return to Youth and Junior squads in the Pathway programme. Their Events cessation was undoubtedly really hard for the sailors Obviously, there were frustrations around competitions and coaches involved. As competitors all they want being postponed or cancelled but thankfully with a lot to do is race and yet the year passed by with no of the events in Q1 being in the southern hemisphere competitions. Hopefully, results coming in from we did manage to get the early season World the senior squads will inspire them and keep them Championships completed. Annalise Murphy was the motivated to train at their home clubs. stand out result in this period with a 12th placing at the Worlds, ultimately a result that secured her Olympic nomination. We were busy preparing for an Olympic qualifier in Palma March 2020 when the world shut down. We were able to get all team members back safely in an exceptionally short period of time. 27 8. Communications
CEO Report/ Harry Hermon
Despite the pandemic, there was considerable activity Communications and some good news. The team quickly pivoted away from the calendar of events and planned content to Strategy 2020-2025 COVID related updates and associated content. • Launch of the new Strategic Plan supported by a social media and digital video campaign (reaching Coronavirus over 14,000 on Facebook alone) Communications • New Communications Plans now in place for 2021 with overarching Communications Strategy • The Coronavirus Communications Strategy Plan quickly which includes individual plans for Digital Media, put in place: a rollout of updates via digital channels, Media, Branding, Crisis Communications and phonecalls and video meetings were supported by new Content Calendar. video and stills content (#sailsmart campaign)
• Every COVID related update on Facebook seen by 8,500 – 9,800 people
• 24,769 views of sailing.ie/coronavirus page
• 30,248 views of sailing.ie/Coronavirus/faq page 28 • Using the lockdown to prepare athletes for the media Clubs and Members – media training workshops and social media and personal branding 1-1s all held during this time • Communication workshops x 2 for clubs and centres on the theme of communicating to stakeholders in • “Meet the Team Day” held in October for the media uncertain times with 24 attendees to interview some of the Irish Sailing Team.
• New and updated toolkits for clubs and members now online (events, social media, and media) Social and Digital Media • Continued growth of the Clubs Communications Group • Audiences are growing – top 2 posts on Facebook seen by 17,600 people each time Performance • In May the #sailsmart campaign brought leaders • Irish Sailing Performance HQ shortlisted for from different parts of the sailing community prestigious Green Awards in Feb 2020 encouraging people to return to the water safely and responsibly. The campaign was viewed nearly • New partner for the Irish Sailing PHQ secured for a 3 ¼ 38,000 times year period – September 2020 through to end of 2023 (still to be announced) • #wherearewe and #backonthewater mini campaigns run throughout lockdown and opening up. • RTE News coverage of the Irish Sailing Team back on the water in May 2020 once COVID restrictions were lifted for professional athletes
29 8. Communications
CEO Report/ Harry Hermon
Social and Digital Media Website
• New Sailing Advocates group of U25s established to • Website survey in October 2020 showed that the help with social media growth majority of people can find what they’re looking for (69% from 163 respondents); and suggested • 10,500 people connected with every day via FB and changes are being implemented Instagram with a slow but steady increase of followers (total of 20,966) – or 10% unpaid growth • Website navigation improvements ongoing with new FAQ module, date scheduling, and additional • Newsletter goes out weekly to ~10,000 subscribers – layout abilities the design was refreshed in 2020 and is now more visually impactful. • Find a Club and Find a Centre modules created
• Website saw an annual 37% increase in page views (772,612 in total).
30 Events Representation
• In late March the 2019 Irish Sailing Awards were moved • The team continue to work with key comms contacts online to Facebook Live – total audience reach of 17,800 in clubs, ICRA, Olympic Federation, 20x20 campaign, people Federation of Irish Sport, Irish Sailing Foundation, Irish Lights, RNLI, and Sport Ireland, partner National • Gold Level sponsorship secured with Dun Laoghaire Governing Bodies (NGBs) and overseas NGBs County Council for the Awards • Working with UCD and DCU sports & • Communications support for the first Irish eSailing communications students (under and post graduate) National Championship, held to encourage sailors stuck for various pitches and lectures. at home during the lockdown to sail online
• The Club Symposium was moved online - Club “Zoomposium” with 168 attendees
• Winter Wednesday Talks Series begun in December 2020 to encourage sailors to keep their mind in the sport and prepare to get “active on the water”. The series ends in March 2021
• Unfortunately the Irish Sailing All Ireland Senior and Junior Sailing Championships, the Youth National Championships, the Women at the Helm regatta and the Watersports Inclusion Games were all cancelled. 31